"Looks comfortable against right-handers" — Calm Kim Hye-seong earns praise from U.S. experts; multi-base reach with 1 hit and 1 walk... Unshaken even after ABS review

*This content was translated by AI.

Is Kim Hye-seong (27, Los Angeles Dodgers) finally adapting to Major League Baseball? He has drawn praise from U.S. experts by delivering consistent performances against right-handed pitchers.

On the 30th (Korea time), Kim Hye-seong started at shortstop and batted seventh in the Dodgers' home game against the Miami Marlins at the UNIQLO Field at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles, California, U.S., recording 1 hit and 1 walk in 3 at-bats, achieving a multi-base reach.

This was his first multi-base reach game in four contests. Kim had been silent over his last three games, going 0-for-9 in 9 at-bats, which caused his batting average to drop. However, with this multi-base reach, he slightly improved his regular-season stats to a .296 batting average (54 at-bats, 16 hits), 1 home run, 7 RBIs, 7 walks, 13 strikeouts, 5 stolen bases, a .371 on-base percentage, a .389 slugging percentage, and an OPS of 0.760.

This game reflected the Dodgers' growing expectations for Kim Hye-seong. Even as Kim went hitless in three consecutive games, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts continued to name him to the starting lineup. The starting pitcher for Miami was Sandy Alcantara, the 2022 National League Cy Young Award winner. Nevertheless, Kim started against right-handed pitchers for three straight games.

Kim fully lived up to those expectations. In the bottom of the second inning, he grounded out to third base. In the bottom of the fourth, he narrowly missed a hit. He made a twisting, hit-like ball by connecting with Alcantara's 98.1 mph (approximately 157.9 km/h) fastball inside.

However, Miami shortstop Otto Lopez did not miss the grounder and threw to first base for the out. This defensive play perfectly avenged Kim's earlier clean-out of Lopez's grounder in the top of the first with one out and a runner on first.

While the Dodgers were consistently outmatched by Alcantara's strong pitching across the board, Kim finally managed to hit a hit. The situation came in the bottom of the sixth with one out and a runner on first, after Dalton Rushing's sacrifice fly tied the game at 2-2.

Even though Kim's first-pitch inside fastball was initially ruled a ball but overturned to a strike following an Automatic Ball-Strike (ABS) review request, he remained unfazed. After taking the fourth and fifth pitches, he drove the sixth outside changeup into the gap for a hit to center field. Although no run scored due to a lack of follow-up hits, Alcantara had to leave the mound before the seventh inning.

Calmness shone through in his final at-bat as well. With the Dodgers trailing 2-3, Kim came to bat as the leadoff hitter in the bottom of the ninth. He calmly selected five pitches against right-handed pitcher Calvin Faucher to work a full count. The sixth pitch, a high inside fastball from Faucher, was questionable.

Kim remained composed and prepared to take a walk, but the Miami batter requested an ABS challenge. There was no overturn. Faucher's sixth cutter did not touch the edge of the strike zone, and Kim successfully reached base for a multi-base reach. Regarding this scene, Dug McKean of Dodgers Nation posted on his social media: "Kim Hye-seong came to bat as the leadoff hitter in the ninth and drew a walk to become a tying run. Kim Hye-seong now looks very comfortable against right-handed pitchers. He is seeing the ball very well and is doing an excellent job fulfilling his role."

The subsequent situation was disappointing for the Dodgers. Alex Colome drew a walk, and Alex Freeland successfully executed a sacrifice bunt, putting runners on second and third with one out. Miami intentionally walked Shohei Ohtani and attempted a double play with Freddie Freeman, which proved effective. Freeman's hit went straight at the second baseman. Miami second baseman Xavier Edwards tagged Ohtani as he tried to advance to second and also touched first base, completing the double play and ending the game. Miami secured a narrow 3-2 victory.

Dodgers starter Tyler Glasnow did not earn the win, allowing 3 hits (2 home runs) over 5⅔ innings, walking 6 batters, striking out 9, and giving up 2 earned runs. Miami starter Alcantara also finished without a decision, pitching 6 innings, allowing 7 hits, walking 2, striking out 4, and giving up 2 earned runs. Ohtani, who started as the leadoff hitter and designated hitter, went 0-for-2 with 3 walks and 1 strikeout, unable to prevent the team's loss.

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*This content was translated by AI.